Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna gets zombified to launch new Resident Evil game

Here's Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna as you've never seen her before - as she becomes the face of a zombie-killing video game.

The 25-year-old actress, best known for her role as Carmel McQueen in the hit series, revealed her zombie look to promote Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles.

Gory: Gemma Merna in horror mode

Despite having a fear of the undead - kinemortophobia - Merna says she is a big fan of the Resident Evil series and is also a video games geek.

"I've always been genuinely terrified of zombies, vampires and anything to do with the undead", she said.

"But I've always loved shooting zombies in video games, and the Resident Evil games are a great, intense, action-packed adventure.

Video fan: The actress in a more familiar guise appearing on Children in Need

"I found it really strange looking at myself as a zombie. But it's brilliant fun and very different from Carmel. Imagine the shock on Hollyoaks if I wandered on set in my full zombie look!"

The Resident Evil series has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and is one of the all-time classics of video gaming. The franchise has also spawned three hit films.